Through research and evaluation, PTP strives to provide the most effective, accessible, integrated and flexible workplace supports to those with literacy and language barriers to employment. To accomplish this, PTP seeks out research opportunities that contribute to the betterment, availability and accessibility of adult literacy programming and workforce training.
Filling The Gap: Building communities to support the aspiring apprentice
Can Ontario’s community-based literacy programs prepare adult learners for apprenticeships that lead to employment in the skilled trades?
Read our latest research report Filling the Gap to:
- find out about the innovative work being done in programs that are already successfully linking learners to apprenticeship opportunities,
- gain insight into the apprenticeship system in Ontario, and
- learn about how any community-based literacy agency can implement programming and build partnerships to make apprenticeship accessible to their literacy learners.
Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills: Increasing student success through contextualized learning
This report offers practical information to programs that are considering initiating or extending workforce literacy programming with a focus on hands-on and authentic learning as an approach for developing literacy, numeracy and employment skills. The report provides an overview and exploration of effective and best practices from PTP’s Teamwork program and other adult literacy programs in Ontario as seen from the perspective of instructors and students. Read the report
Who is Learning What: Measuring Participant Gains in
Contextualized & Academic Education Programs
This study examines the amount of transfer from literacy skills learned in an academic setting to workplace reading and writing tasks as well as the transferability of literacy skills learned in a contextualized program (document reading, forms, etc.) towards more academic skills. Read the report
Economic Impact Study
What’s an education worth? Through longitudinal research, this project analyzes the economic impacts of PTP’s literacy training on participants’ earnings after program completion. Report results are available online.
Towards an Employable Future
PTP’s educators have developed literacy training curriculum that is contextualized for employment. A how-to manual was published in September 1999.
Learning Disabilities
Does testing participants for learning disabilities increase the effectiveness of literacy training? PTP studied the impact of LD diagnostic testing on learners in the program. Report results were released in August, 1999.
Making the Connection
A report evaluating the effectiveness of our pre-GED training was released in October 1999.
Trading for Experience – Women into Non-Traditional Jobs
This project encouraged PTP’s women participants to consider a full range of training and re-employment options. Through speakers, site tours, and workshops, the participants were furnished with information about non-traditional jobs including jobs in the higher paying blue-collar and trade sectors. Local women working in these areas volunteered as speakers and role models for the project. Read the report
More Walls than Doors
Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy: January, 1998.
Norm Rowen’s groundbreaking research on literacy and upgrading programs across Ontario documents the structural difficulties that adult learners face in trying to “move on” in their learning. His recommendations seek to enhance articulation among literacy, upgrading, and adult basic education programs and between community, school board, and college training. A must-read for educators and administrators who want a seamless system. Read the report